Three Men Accused by Rep. Nancy Mace Face Criminal Charges Following SLED Investigation

Nearly two years after U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace delivered a fiery speech on the House floor naming several men as predators, the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has arrested and charged three of them in connection with a 2018 incident.

The arrests follow an investigation launched after Mace's February 2025 speech in Washington, D.C., where she used a posterboard featuring photos of the men and accused them of sexual misconduct and exploitation. Among those charged on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026, are John Douglas Osborne, Brendan Patrick Bryant (Mace's ex-fiancé), and Eric Bernard Bowman.

According to SLED arrest warrants and affidavits, the charges stem from an incident on Oct. 26, 2018, at a home on Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina. Investigators stated that a 23-year-old woman returned to the residence heavily intoxicated, fell into a swimming pool, and subsequently passed out on a couch while mentally incapacitated. Warrants allege that Osborne sexually assaulted the victim while Bryant and Bowman watched for their own gratification, guided by a conversation about sexual exploits. An unnamed witness reportedly observed the events through home security footage, saving still images and logging the incident.

The three defendants face distinct charges based on their alleged roles:

  • John Douglas Osborne, 46: Charged with first-degree assault and battery and two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct.
  • Brendan Patrick Bryant, 53: Charged with voyeurism.
  • Eric Bernard Bowman, 46: Charged with voyeurism, obstruction of justice, and publishing the name of a criminal sexual conduct victim.

Authorities and court documents noted that Bowman allegedly factory-reset his phone to impede SLED’s search warrant and posted the victim's name and identifying media online despite an ongoing investigation. A fourth man named in Mace's original House speech, Brian Musgrave, did not face criminal charges.

All three defendants appeared in a Charleston County bond court on Wednesday, where cash bonds were established. Attorneys for the defendants have stated their clients intend to defend themselves against the accusations. Meanwhile, legal representatives and advocates continue to navigate parallel civil litigation and the broader fallout of a case that has drawn intense state and national scrutiny.